Chapter 3 - Vivian Tried to Convince Alessandro That I Was the Traitor—Until My Daughter Revealed Something Hidden in Her Diamond NecklaceThe safe room was beneath the mansion.
Steel walls.
No windows.
Two guards.
I hated it.
Emma hated it more.
She sat on my lap clutching Mr. Bunny.
Alessandro entered twenty minutes later.
He had changed.
The softness was gone.
The mafia king had returned.
“Tell me about the photograph.”
I hesitated.
“It was behind our bedroom mirror.”
“Where is it?”
“My old apartment.”
“Do you still have access?”
“No.”
“Who does?”
“The landlord.”
Alessandro nodded.
“I'll send someone.”
I frowned.
“You don't need to.”
“I do.”
“Why?”
“Because someone tried to kill you tonight.”
I looked down.
Emma had fallen asleep.
Alessandro noticed.
His voice softened.
“She's brave.”
“She shouldn't have to be.”
“No.”
He sat across from me.
“My mother used to say children shouldn't learn about violence.”
“What happened?”
“She died when I was twelve.”
I looked at him.
He stared at the floor.
“Violence found her anyway.”
I didn't know what to say.
Then the door opened.
Vivian entered.
She looked furious.
“Alessandro, we need to talk.”
“Leave.”
She stared.
“You're choosing her?”
“This isn't about choosing.”
“She is lying.”
I stood.
“Excuse me?”
Vivian pointed at me.
“Daniel Bennett worked for the Black Serpent.”
My heart stopped.
“He did not.”
“You don't know that.”
“I was married to him.”
“You knew nothing.”
Alessandro's eyes narrowed.
Vivian continued.
“She could have planted that rabbit.”
Emma woke.
“Mommy?”
I immediately pulled her closer.
“Don't listen.”
Vivian smiled coldly.
“Why shouldn't she listen?”
Alessandro stepped between us.
“Leave.”
“I'm trying to protect you.”
“You're making accusations without evidence.”
“I have evidence.”
She touched her necklace.
“This belonged to my father.”
Alessandro looked at it.
“What does that have to do with Clara?”
Vivian smiled.
“The same symbol is engraved inside.”
She removed the necklace.
Alessandro examined it.
Then his expression changed.
“Where did you get this?”
“My father.”
“When?”
“Eight years ago.”
I stared.
“That's when Daniel died.”
Vivian looked at me.
“Exactly.”
Then Emma suddenly pointed.
“Mr. Bunny sees it.”
Everyone turned.
Emma wasn't looking at the necklace.
She was looking at Vivian's hand.
“There's a snake.”
Vivian's face changed.
Alessandro noticed.
He grabbed her wrist.
“Show me.”
She pulled away.
“No.”
The room went silent.
Alessandro's voice dropped.
“Vivian.”
She swallowed.
Then the necklace fell open.
Inside was a tiny compartment.
Empty.
Alessandro looked at me.
“What was inside?”
Vivian didn't answer.
My daughter whispered:
“Something red.”
I stared at her.
“Emma, how do you know?”
She pointed toward Vivian.
“Mr. Bunny saw it.”
Nobody moved.
Then Alessandro looked at Vivian.
“You've seen the evidence.”
“No.”
“Where is it?”
“I don't know.”
He stepped closer.
“Then why does your necklace have the same mark?”
Vivian backed away.
“I can explain.”
Alessandro's expression became ice.
“Then explain.”
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
And that's when one of Alessandro's guards entered.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“We found the photograph.”
He handed him a sealed envelope.
Alessandro opened it.
His face went pale.
I moved closer.
“What is it?”
He handed me the photograph.
It showed Daniel standing beside a man I recognized.
I had seen him every day since I started working at Villa Moretti.
Marco Bianchi.
Alessandro's most trusted lieutenant.
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On the back of the photograph were three words:
HE KNOWS EVERYTHING.
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